Who's Who in China (3rd edition)/Yang Tseng-hsin

General Yang Tseng-hsin

楊增新字鼎臣

General Yang Tseng-hsin was born at Meng-tzu Hsien, Yunnan province, in 1867. In his youth he travelled extensively in the northern and western parts of China especially in the frontier provinces. He became a provincial graduate in 1888 and metropolitan graduate in 1889. By Imperial Order he was sent to Kansu to wait for an appointment. In that province at different times he was Department Magistrate of Ho Chou, District Magistrate of Chung-wei Hsien, Commander of the Infantry Forces of the Chun-wei Troops, Director of Kansu High College, and Director of Kansu Military College (1900). In 1901 General Yang was transferred to Sinkiang province where he was first Ping-pei-tao or Intendant of the Ao-Ke-Shu Circuit, then Acting Military and Grain Intendant of the Chen-Ti Circuit; and later Judicial Commissioner and finally Lieutenant Governor. In April 1912, President Yuan Shih-kai appointed General Yang Treasurer of the Financial Commisisioner of Sinkiang. In May 1912 he was appointed Tutu (Military Governor) and concurrently Mingcheng-chiang (Civil Governor) of Sinkiang. At the same time he was acting Military Governor of Ili. In 1915 General Yang was awarded the Third Order of Merit and given the brevet rank of a full general. In July 1916 he became Tuchun and Shengchiang of Sinkiang, the new designations for military and civil governors, respectively. These positions he is still holding. In January 1920 General Yang received the First Class Tashou Paokuang Chiaho; in October 1920, the First Class Wenfu; and in October 1921, the First Order of Merit. In February 1923 he was made a full general and in November 1923 a "Chiangchun” of the College of Marshals with the special title "Tien-u."