CHINA’S EX-PREMIER

Hokitika Guardian, 22 February 1930, Page 3

CHINA’S EX-PREMIER

NOW A SWISS MONK. ilr Lu Chcnz-hsiang, formerly Prime Minister of China, ancFdistinguiwheil as a diplomat, who renounced Ids career to.enter the Benedictine Order in Switzerland, has written to friends in China that he is perfectly contented with his new life, despite the drastic change. The former statesman is now Frater Lu Cheng-ksiang, and is the only member of his race among the brothers of the St. Bernard Monastery. The death of Mine. Lu, a Belgian, while her husband was Minister of Switzerland, caused him to seek solace in monastic life. Dr Lu served abroad boih under the Manchu regime and a'lter the establishment of the, republic, lie was born in Shanghai in May 1871. Entering the diploma* ic service nearly 90 years ago, his fiust post was in St Petersburg, where lie was interporter for the Chinese Legation. In 19°" be was named ambassador extraordinary to the Czar’s second peace conference at The Hague. Next lie became Minister to St. Petersburg. , When the Manchu, dynasty abdictod in 1919,,President .Yuan Shih-kair recalled Dr Lu and made him Minister of Foreign Affairs. He held that post un-

der several subsequent administrations, J and was chosen Premier in 1920. In between these liuJiio honours he served as ( liinese .Minister to lloiland, Melttiuni, and Switzerland, lie entered a PenedietiAe abbey in 1927, and was received', into the Order the following < year.