Horner Plans to Study Values Of Chinese Women on Trip

President Horner said yesterday that as a psychologist, she is interested how an influx of Western values in a developing country like China affects women. Horner will leave for China March 5 as a member of a national policy panel on China relations sponsored by the United Nations Association of the USA.

Horner said members of the panel--which will study and report on Chinese culture, economy, weaponry and legal system--have received "rapid briefing" from China experts in Washington, but that the most interesting information she received came from tapes on Chinese history by John K. Fairbank'29, Higginson Professor of History, emeritus.

Horner added she feels she is the "least expert" member of the panel, which is composed of several leading academics, businessmen and government officials.

D. John Starr, the panel's project director, said yesterday he and other delegation members, including other panel chairmen, chose Horner because "we wanted as broad a range of opinions and background as possible." He added the panel members were selected last September.

But Horner said she would not be surprised if the trip were cancelled because of the severity of the current conflict between China and Vietnam.

Horner said a panel subcommittee on strategic development had planned to look at the Chinese weapons and defense systems.

"Whether the committee would now be allowed to observe the Chinese weaponry is uncertain with the present situation," she added.

The delegation's report, planned for release late this year, will use personal observations and statistical evidence as background.

Horner added that besides Peking, the itinerary includes Tokyo, Taipei and Hong Kong. She said that during her visit to Japan she will be meeting with alumnae.

Horner will return to Radcliffe on April 1, after meeting with other alumnae chapters in West Coast cities.