Who's Who in China (3rd edition)/Wen Chun

Mr. Wen Chun

文羣字詔雲

Mr. Wen Chun was born at Ping-Ilsiang Hsien, Kiangsi province, in 1885. He first graduated from the Kiangsi High Normal College and then was sent by the Governor of Kiangsi to Japan to pursue higher education. In Japan Mr. Wen first studied in the Preparatory Department of the Waseda University and then took a Political Economy course in the Central University of Japan where he was graduated. After returning to China Mr. Wen passed the Returned Students Examination held by the Board of Education and was therefore, given the degree of Chu-Jen or M. A. Upon Kiangsi declaring independence in response to the First Revolution in 1911, Mr. Wen became Chief of the Foreign Affairs Section of the Military Government of Kiangsi and also Secretary to the Tutu of Kiangsi. In January 1912 a Provisional National Council was called in Nanking. Ur. Wen was a Kiangsi Delegate to this Council which elected Yuan Shih-kai as Provisional President of China to succeed Sun Yat-sen and also drafted the Provisional Constitution, the Organic Law of the Republic. In July 1912, when General Li Lieh-chun became Tutuh of Kiangsi, Mr. Wen accepted the Legal Advisorship of the Office of Kiangsi Tutuh. In April 1913, the Provisional National Council which had been moved to Peking a year ago was dismissed and the First Parliament was convoked, Mr. Wen became a Member of the Lower House of the Parliament. Mr. Wen took an important part in the Second Revolution which broke out in July 1913 planned by Kuo Ming Tang members led by General Li Lieh-chun. The military. operations between southern generals and Yuan Shih-kai's troops only lasted for three months resulting in the collapse of the revolutionary forces. In November 1913 Yuan Shih-kai proscribed the Kuo Ming Tang as a seditious party and ordered the arrest of its members in the Parliament who were involved in the revolt against the President. Mr. Wen took flight to Japan where he remained until the spring of 1916. Upon returning to China, Mr. Wen at once joined the Yunnan Revolt against Yuan Shih-kai's monarchical attempt. Mr. Wen served both as Secretary of the Headquarters of the Republican Forces and as Director of the Diplomatic Affairs. In August 1916 the First Parliament was reconvoked in Peking. Mr. Wen took his seat in the House of Representatives. In the meanwhile he also accepted the advisorship to the Military Governors of Yunnan, Kuangsi and Chekiang. In November 1916 Mr. Wen was appointed Vice-Minister of Agriculture and Commerce. He was relieved of this post by Chiang Tien-to in July 1917. But before leaving this Ministry he was acting for the Minister for one month. While as a Vice-Minister, he was also Secretary to the President and Councillor to the President's Office. In 1919 Mr. Wen went to Kuangtung and joined the Military government. He was at first a High Political Advisor. Later he became Vice-Minister of Finance and for a time he was in charge of the Ministry of Finance. In 1920 Mr. Wen was sent to Peking by the Military government on a mission to negotiate peace terms with the northern leaders, at that time the southern government being in the hands of the Kuangsi faction. No sooner than an understanding was about to be reached between the Kuangsi faction and the Peking government, the former suddenly lost its hold at Canton. Mr. Wen had to remain in the north and subsequently be accepted an advisorship in the Cabinet and also a councillorship in the President's Office, Peking. In 1921 Mr. Wen was appointed resident director of the Commission for the Study of Problems relating to the Unification of China. In July 1922 he was appointed Financial Commissioner of Kuangsi province. In October 1922 he was awarded the Second Class Tashou Paokuang Chiaho Decoration. In March 1923 Mr. Wen received the Second Class Wenhu Decoration. In April he was appointed vice-president of the Commission for the Consolidation of National Debts.