In Retrospect: The Death of Chiang Kai-shek

The generalissimo, in severely declining health, did not even appear in public during the final two years of his life. But until the end, Chiang held the title of President of the Republic of China, insisting that he was the sole legitimate ruler of the entire country. Even after Taiwan’s expulsion from the U.N. in 1971, Chiang rejected all attempts at compromise. As long as he was alive,