Who's Who in China (3rd edition)/Yeh Kung-ch'ao

Yeh Kung-cho

葉恭綽字譽虎

(Yeh Kung-ch'ao)

Mr. Yeh Kung-cho was born at Fan-yu Hsien, Kuangtung province, in 1880. He came to Peking after having received rudiments of education in his native province and entered the Imperial Uriversity. Before graduation he left the University and took up teaching work. He was connected with the Modern Languages College of Hupei for many years. After that he returned to Peking again and was admitted to the Board of Communications. During 1906-8, he was one of the capable assistants of Tang Shao-i, then the director general of the Peking-Hankow Railway. He was also responsible for the plans of the taking over of that railway from the Belgian Company in 1908. When the first revolution broke out in 1911, Mr. Yeh left the government service. Later, he was appointed a councillor to conduct the negotiations between the North and South. He was also a delegate to prepare for the organization of the Provisional Government in Nanking. Gradually he became associated with more prominent personages in the country. Upon the establishment of the Republic, he was made Chief of the Railway Department in the Ministry of Communications. At the same time he was a member of the Finance Committee. During that time, a railway association was organized under the auspices of Liang Shih-i to unite his followers. Of the association Mr. Yeh was elected Vice-President. He was chairman of the Commission on the Standardization of Railway Terminology and also of the Commission for the Unification of Railway Statistics and Accounts. It was also through his influence that an American statistical expert, Dr. Adams, was engaged to advise the Commission. In July 1913, Mr. Yeh was appointed to act for Vice-Minister of Communications. In June 1914 he became substantial Vice-Minister of Communications. In June 1915 his service was suspended on account of alleged irregularity in his administration. In October 1915 a Mandate was issued dismissing all the charges against him. He resigned from the Vice-Ministership in June 1916 after the death of Yuan Shih-kai. Mr. Liang Shih-i, his patron, who had been Yuan's strong advisor, was then ousted from Peking politics. After that time, Mr. Yeh became a Secretary to Feng Kuo-chang at Narking, who succeeded Li Yuan-hung as Vice-President of China. In July 1917 Chang Hsun started the monarchical restoration. Marshal Tuan Chi-jui raised the republican standard against him and Mr. Yeh assisted Marshal Tuan in the management of transportation affairs for the republican army. After the overthrow of the monarchical movement, Tuan became Prime Minister and Mr. Yeh was appointed Vice-Minister of Communications which position he held until October 1918. In January 1919 he went to Europe as Special Commissioner to study post-war industry and communications in the different European countries. He returned in the winter of 1919. In January 1920 Mr. Yeh was awarded the First Class Wenfu, and also appointed High Commissioner for Promotion of Industries. In August 1920 he was appointed Acting Minister of Communications. In October 1920 he received the First Class Tashou Chiaho. In March 1921 he became concurrently the President of the Communications University. In May 1921 he was relieved of the Acting Ministership, still retaining the Industrial Commissionership. In August 1921 he was awarded the First Class Tashou Paokuang Chiaho. In December 1921 Mr. Yeh was again appointed Minister of Communications under Liang Shih-i's Cabinet. In January 1922 he was relieved of the High Industrial Commissionership. In May 1922 when Liang Shih-i Cabinet collapsed he was removed from the Ministership and ordered to be apprehended. He filed to Japan where he stayed for some time. Subsequently he joined the Anti-Chihli factions becoming Finance Minister in Canton in May 1923 and also enjoying high confidence of Marshal Chang Tso-lin. Late in 1924 when the Anfu-Fengtien party returned to power, following the defeat of the Chihli forces which began in September 1924, Mr. Yeh returned to the North and was appointed Minister of Communications which position he now holds.