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242 had much confidence in Mr. Ch'u who was also well liked by the Kuomingtang people at the same time. In December 1915 when Yuan Shih-kai practically made himself Emperor of China, he conferred upon him the rank of Count of the First Order. In April 1916 Chekiang declared independence of Peking as a protest against Yuan's monarchical movement. Mr. Ch'u sided with the people although he was after a few days appointed by Peking to be concurrently acting director of Military Affairs of Chekiang. Mr. Ch'u resigned from the Shantung posts in July 1916 and went to Peking when he promoted the Sino-American Association. In July 1919 Mr. Ch’u was appointed acting Civil Governor of Shantung. In March 1920 he was conferred the Third Order of Merit. A Presidential Mandate dated June 24, 1920 ordered his removal from the Shantung governship. Another Mandate was issued on August 8, 1920 ordering him to leave the post for his successor and go to Peking. In October 1922 Mr. Ch'u was decorated with the First Order of Wenfu. He has been a resident in Tientsin since leaving Shantung.