17 Dec 1899
Page 1
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This newspaper page contains 18 articles. Subscribers can read the full text of each article.
Newspaper
Philadelphia Times
Location
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America
Date
Dec 17, 1899
Page
1
Reports tally British casualties at Tugela during the South African campaign. The total dead and wounded reaches 1,007 as leaders Lord Landsdowne Lord Wolseley and Joseph Chamberlain face angry reactions.
London December 16 General Buller reports to the War Office that his forces suffered 82 killed 667 wounded and 348 missing in yesterday's engagement a total of 1097 casualties.
The latest British casualty list for Magersfontein shows 963 killed or wounded, including 70 officers. The Black Watch suffered heavily with 42 killed, 182 wounded, and 111 missing among the rank and file.
Dispatch from Modder River reports Boers seized 200 Lee-Metfords, cases of cartridges, and hundreds of bayonets. British forces retreated from Twee-Rivieren toward Belmont with heavy losses and many dead. Wounded are treated at Biesett's farm. sappers and miners suffered severely.
London commentary from December 14 reflects chastened, pessimistic mood over Buller’s setback in the Boer War. The Evening Standard urges equanimity, determination, and perseverance of the empire, warning Britain faces a crisis resembling historic colonial risings and calling for renewed action.
Newspapers react to the South African crisis urging varied actions from mobilising liners for troop transport to deploying militia and naval squadrons. Some press defend Buller and urge rapid gun and horse supplies while warning of imperial peril and foreign complications.
Rome views General Buller’s reverse as a severe blow to British prestige. December reports note widespread discussions in the press with the Avanti calling it a disaster for Great Britain and assigning chief responsibility to Mr Chamberlain. The episode ignites strong sentiment across circles here.
From Bulawayo reports dated December 6 Mafeking dispatches state that Boer forces are compelled to retreat. The situation follows earlier advances and indicates shifting control in the region.
The German press and people celebrate reports from South Africa with widespread congratulatory exchanges in the streets. Leading papers praise the Boer campaign outcome as a sign of England’s decline and its eventual downfall, signaling a shift in global power.
A British cabinet crisis looms as reports say the War Office will undergo reorganization once hostilities end. Indignation mounts over wartime policy and leadership, with authorities already planning a necessary overhaul to avert further political turmoil.
Fragmentary item notes numbers and a mention of guns at Waterloo and English at Waterloo with figures 4,500 28,900 3,000 1,000 1,050 and 110 156. No clear narrative or dates in readable text.
Military reports say British forces acted with vigor and compelled the Boers to evacuate a strong fort northeast of the town. Casualties on the British side were trifling as they push toward siege batteries while the Boer force is reduced to about 2,000 men with four field guns and siege pieces.
Rumors report that Winston Churchill the newspaper correspondent who escaped from Pretoria has been captured near Waterflaiboven about midway to Portuguese territory. The sighting places him between Pretoria and Lourenco Marques in Delagoa Bay vicinity.
From Mafeking reports Baden-Powell, in a notice to the Boers, urges them to lay down arms and return home with protection promised. British forts attacked with heavy firing. one small fort reportedly demolished. Continued on sixth page.
Special Cable to The Times reports three defeats in one week that unsettled London. It cites Generallor's failure to receive timely orders from home and Describes Lord Methuen's force as isolated from supplies, forcing swift action. TheBoers’ success is attributed to superior mobility and the British defeat appears near inevitable.
The Times reports a heated Senate privileges and elections hearing over M S Quay’s claim to Pennsylvania’s Senate seat. Advocates argued governor appointments versus legislative selection, with Carson Edmunds and Elkin presenting contrasting constitutional positions. The committee planned further debate and a later vote on seating Quay.
The city wins the 1924 Republican National Committee bid and the Citizens Association and Young Republicans plan a $100000 campaign fund, auditorium remodeling at Exposition Hall to seat 18000, and extensive entertainment for delegates as 1000 hotel rooms fill.
Departures listed include Amsterdam to New York for Rotterdam Genoa La Bretagne Havre to New York Campania to Liverpool St Paul to Southampton to New York Lucania to New York for Liverpool Palatia to New York for Hamburg Carthaginian to Liverpool to Philadelphia Ships sail on defined routes across major ports linking Europe with the United States and adds transatlantic service.
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