CHAPTER 16

April 1895

France didn’t have the money to finish building the canal alone: the government’s priority was to invest in local infrastructure and the public didn’t want to bet on the canal after the financial and political scandals that had discredited the project conceived by “Le Grand Français,” who had died bankrupt the past December. His death was a great blow to Philippe, who had visited him several times at the country house where his elderly icon spent his final days. In spite of all that had happened in Panama, Philippe continued to admire him.

Walking near the Eiffel Tower one morning, thinking of ways to resuscitate the canal, Philippe remembered a conversation he’d had with Mr. Bigelow a few years back during his visit to Panama: France would need the support of an allied nation to be able to finish the canal.

It wouldn’t be the United States—even after the Maritime Canal Company of Nicaragua went bankrupt a couple years ago, the U.S. maintained the idea of constructing their own canal in Nicaragua. Which other friendly country would be interested in joining France in the completion of the Panama Canal?

The answer was immediately resoundingly clear: Russia. That year, Russia and France had formed a political and military alliance. Russia was building the Siberian railway and could aid in the completion of the French canal in Panama. This would ensure the consolidation of a powerful alliance. Philippe got to work right away developing his idea.

Making use of his new fortune, he discovered that Prince Tatischeff was coming to Paris by train from Dortmund, Germany, and arranged to cross paths with him along the way. He would share a compartment with the prince. Upon entrance into the train car, Philippe awoke Tatischeff and then pretended not to know the man. “I’m sorry for having awakened you,” Philippe said in terrible German.

Tatischeff responded in the elegant French spoken by Russian aristocrats and Philippe took the opportunity with which he’d been presented to strike up a conversation with the prince. By the end of the journey, the engineer had used his gift of persuasion to convince the prince to facilitate a meeting with the Finance Minister to the Tsar, Sergei Witte, with the purpose of discussing the Panama Canal.

A few weeks later, Philippe met with Minister Witte in Saint Petersburg.

In his office, the minister, taking a seat across from Philippe, asked, “Mr. Bunau-Varilla, you have come as a representative of the French government?” Witte was so tall that, even though both men were sitting, compared to Philippe, he appeared to be standing.

“No, Your Excellence, I don’t represent the French government, nor do I work with the New Canal Company. I’m simply a patriot dedicated to the ideal the Panama Canal represents. France alone cannot complete the canal; we need our Russian brothers in order to finish the construction.”

And with that introduction, Philippe took an hour to explain the plan that would solve all of the problems that had prevented completion of the canal thus far. The only thing missing was financial support from an ally nation to finish such a magnificent project. “Furthermore,” said Philippe, “if Russia controlled the canal, it would have direct access to the Atlantic Ocean. A canal in Panama united to the Trans-Siberian Railway would allow the Tsar to control a large part of world commerce…”

After listening to Philippe’s presentation, Minister Witte simply sat silently, looking into his eyes with an indecipherable smile. He appeared to be uncomfortable, and gave the impression he was censoring his thoughts to keep from speaking aloud. A minute passed and Philippe, unsure of what was happening, only managed to say, “What does Your Excellence think of our proposal?”

Witte stroked his beard with his right hand, smoothed his uniform and firmly began to speak, “Mr. Bunau-Varilla, we appreciate your visit but we aren’t interested in your canal. France recently lent us 125,000,000 rubles that are essential here, in Russia… Do you think we are interested in spending the money we’ve borrowed on a dying enterprise? Thank you very much for your visit and have a pleasant journey back home.” And without saying another word, the giant stood up, turned and headed for the office door.

Philippe remained seated, holding maps, diagrams, and charts full of statistics, not knowing what to do. He didn’t understand what had just happened. Russia didn’t want the glory of completing the canal? Russia didn’t want to control naval traffic between the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans?

He only heard the minister’s secretary say, “I will see you out, Mr. Bunau-Varilla. Follow me, please.”