Hongkong, Feb. 10.
British officials have lodged strong protests with the Japanese over the landing of two parties from Japanese warships at Weihaiwei early this week, the United Press learned from reliable sources here to-day.
Japanese forces were said io have been landed near British property on Liukungtao Island. After negotiations with British officials, reports said, the Japanese agreed to withdraw. Two Japanese cruisers are still standing by off the island, however.
British authorities are said to have informed the Jpaanese that all future dealings with both Chinese and Britons regarding Weihaiwei must be made through the British Consul who is watching both Chinese and British interests in Weihaiwei since the departure of the Chinese Commissioner who arrived in Hongkong early in January.
The British Cruiser, H.M.S.. Suffolk, and the sloop, H.M.S. Sandwich, at present are standing by at Weihaiwei and the Capetown is expected to arrive there to-night.—United. Press.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.