RUSSIA: Scarlet Diplomat

Mexicans still speak knowingly of how Comrade Alexandra Kollontay, first Soviet female envoy, met onetime Mexican President Plutarco Elias Calles in Berlin, crossed the Atlantic "on the same boat," remained in Mexico as Minister "until they quarreled" (TIME, Dec. 19, 1927). Last week this scarlet diplomat, wearing a black taffeta gown, drew about her shoulders a soft chinchilla wrap upon which blazed the Soviet Order of the Red Star, stepped into a Royal Coach. The equipage was that of Gustaf V, King of the Swedes. At a merry clip Comrade Kollontay whirled...

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