Who's Who in China (3rd edition)/Chang Hu

Mr. Chang Hu

張弧字岱杉

Mr. Chang Hu was born at Hsiaoshan Hsien, Chekiang Province, in 1876. He was a Chu Jen or Provincial Graduate in the Ching Regime. Later he obtained the rank of Expectant Prefect, and was ordered to proceed to Fukien Province to "expect" appointment. Between 1902 and 1905 Mr. Chang took an active part in the management of educational and financial affairs of the province of Fukien. During this period he was principal of the Provincial High Normal School and also the proctor of the Provincial Treasurer. In 1906 Mr. Chang went to Manchuria to join Hsu Shih-chang, who was then Viceroy of Manchuria. At first he was appointed Section Chief of the Bureau of Manchurian Salt Affairs and later became Director-General of the Customs Administration for the Province of Kirin. concurrently he acted as Resident Director of the Bureau for the Reorganization of Financial Affairs of that Povince. In 1912 the First Year of the Republic Mr. Chang assisted Mr. Hsung Hsi-ling, who was then Minister of Finance, in taking over the control of the Board of Finance of the Nanking Provisional Government and in reorganizing the Board of Finance in Peking. In September 1913 Mr. Chang was appointed Vice-Minister of Finance when Hsiung Hsi-ling was Prime Minister. In May 1914, when Hsu Shihchang was appointed Kuo-Wu-Ching or Secretary of State—replacing the Premier—, Mr. Chang as Vice-Minister of Finance was appointed concurently to held the position of director of the Salt Administration and of Chief Inspector of the Salt Inspectorate. In this capacity Mr. Chang in cooperation with Sir Richard Dane undertook the organization of the sub-offices of the Salt Inspectorate in the difference provinces. The result of the reorganization of the Salt Administration Was the increase of Salt revenue, for which Mr. Chang was conferred the Fourth Order of Merit. In June 1915 Mr. Chang was attacked by his political opponents who charged him with embezzlement. Mr. Chang was dismissed by a Presidential Mandate from the finance posts and as a sign of degradation he was appointed a Taoying of the Szechuan Province. However before he could proceed to take up his 'new post, his arrest was ordered. Through the efforts of his foreign and Chinese friends, the case was dropped and he retired to private life in Tientsin. In December 1917 when China had joined the European War on the side of the Allies, Mr. Chang was appointed Chief of the Labor Emigration Bureau of the Cabinet. In October 1918 Hsu Shih-chang became President. Two months later he appointed Mr. Chang to be Acting Vice-Minister of Finance. In January 1919 Mr. Chang was appointed concurrently to hold the position of associate-director of Salt Administration and of Chief Inspector of the Salt Inspectorate. These positions he held until August 1920 when he was transferred to be Director of the Currency Administration. In December 1920 he was conferred the First Order of Tashou Paokuang Chiaho. In December 1921 Mr. Chang was appointed Minister of Finance under Liang Shih-i who became Prime Minister as nominee of Chang Tso-lin. and also acted as Director-General of the Salt Administration and that of the Currency Administration. Marshal Wu Pei-fu opposed this Cabinet, particularly Liang, Chang and Yeh Kung-cho, the Minister of Communications. On May 5, 1922, Messrs. Liang Shih-i, Chang Hu and Yeh Kung-cho were ordered by a Presidential Mandate to be arrested for trial, when Chang Tso-lin was defeated by the Chihli forces. On February 5, 1923 President Li Yuan-hung in a Mandate cancelled the said order of arrest in respect to Mr. Chang Hu, On August 14, 1923 Mr. Chang was appointed Acting Minister of Finance with the concurrent positions of Director-General of the Salt Administration and that of the Currency Administration.