CHAPTER 29

September 1903

“Your presence is urgently needed. Look for Lindo in New York. Risk of losing everything. WNC.” This was the text of the cablegram that Cromwell sent to Philippe in the beginning of September. Something terribly serious had to have happened for the lawyer to ask him to come to the United States.

Immediately, Philippe asked Ida to prepare little Giselle because they would all be going to the United States. Etienne, who was now thirteen years old, had gone to New York a few weeks earlier to visit the Bigelow’s, where the rest of the family had planned to eventually join him; now however, they would be doing so sooner than later.

All of them except for Philippe. His family could enjoy the Bigelow’s kindness but he had to take care of the canal; the threat that the United States could revisit the Nicaraguan route and forget about Panama had returned after the Colombian Senate’s rejection of the Herrán-Hay Treaty.

“Damned Prussians! They’ve managed to sabotage the ratification of the treaty…” Philippe told an uninterested Maurice.

Two days after hearing about the Colombian “no,” President Roosevelt had lunched with Senator Shelby Cullom at Sagamore Hill, his family home. Cullom had given an interview immediately after to several reporters: “Senator Cullom, how will the canal be built without a treaty with Colombia? Are we going back to Nicaragua?”

Cullom, without hesitation responded, “We’ll simply sign another treaty, not with Colombia, but with Panama.”

Arriving in New York, Philippe sent his wife and daughter to the Bigelow’s house and then immediately went to find Joshua Lindo at his office. Lindo, head of one of the most well-established banks in Panama, usually did business with the Canal Company, and consequently, knew Cromwell and the other most prominent men on the isthmus quite well. Though Philippe had known the banker for several years, it had been a long time since they’d seen one another.

“Philippe, welcome. Please, come into my office.” Lindo’s face foretold bad news. As he entered, Philippe saw a haggard Cromwell slumped in a chair. He was pale and his hair and mustache were disheveled. He looked like he hadn’t bathed or changed his clothes for days.

Lindo spoke first: “We have a grave problem. Cromwell brought Gabriel Duque, the Panamanian businessman, to meet with Secretary Hay to discuss the plan and Duque betrayed us. After confirming that the United States supported the plan, Duque went directly to Ambassador Herrán and told him everything. Herrán already informed Bogotá and made a formal complaint to Secretary Hay.”

Philippe was furious: “You went with Duque to John Hay’s office and didn’t tell me? I thought we had a gentlemen’s agreement to keep each other informed and work together on all of this! Why did you do it?” Cromwell avoided Philippe’s fiery blue eyes and didn’t answer.

“Please Philippe, this isn’t the time to place blame …” Lindo said.

“Of course I blame Mr. Cromwell! We have worked together for a long time and I have always honored our agreement. What else have you done without telling me? How could you do something so shameless as bringing a revolutionary to the Secretary of State? And why Duque? What happened with Amador?”

Cromwell sat in silence, beaten. Philippe, beside himself, lunged at the lawyer but Lindo intervened.

“Philippe, please! What’s done is done. Now we have to solve the problem. Ambassador Herrán is threatening to cancel the concession if it’s proven that the Canal Company,” he said, gesturing toward the lawyer, “is promoting the sedition of Panama.”

Philippe couldn’t believe that Cromwell would have risked everything, probably to appear and be known as the plan’s creator. Lindo continued, “Cromwell will soon be leaving the United States; it’s best that he’s as far from Washington as possible. But we need you to meet with Amador.”

***

Philippe was in his usual room at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel when there was a knock at the door. This time he knew who it was: Dr. Manuel Amador Guerrero, his long-time acquaintance from Panama who had worked beneath him when Philippe assumed general command of the project several years ago. After an affectionate greeting, Philippe asked, “Tell me, Dr. Amador, what can I do for you?” Lindo thought it best that Amador didn’t know that the engineer had worked with Cromwell, and Philippe pretended not to know a thing.

In spite of all the years that had passed, the elderly doctor had retained the vitality and sharp thinking that Philippe had remembered so well. Amador was a true Panamanian patriot, who had dedicated his life to improving the quality of life for his countrymen.

The doctor said that various prominent Panamanians, many of whom Philippe knew very well, were organizing to bring about a revolution. They had already secured the help of Colombian soldiers stationed in Panama, since after years of being there they considered themselves locals. Furthermore, Bogota had failed to pay them for many months and General Huertas agreed to support the secession if he and his men were monetarily awarded.

But this time, they wanted the support of the United States in initiating the revolt. Since everyone knew that Cromwell, the lawyer for the Canal Company and the Railway, had excellent political connections, he was asked to help, and he promised to do so. But for some reason unknown to Amador, soon the Colombians soon knew about his plans, and Cromwell was avoiding him at all cost.

“If something happens to my colleagues because of that lawyer, I’ll kill him myself!” Amador exclaimed as he mimicked strangulation with his hands. Philippe could barely hold back a smile as he thought, “I’ll gladly help.”

When the doctor finished explaining his plan, Philippe got up from his chair and, in a disapproving tone, said: “Dr. Amador, I’m terribly sorry for what’s happening, but you are responsible for having trusted something so important to inexperienced people. However, I might be able to help you.”

You want six million dollars to buy gunboats and weapons. It’s too much money and perhaps, unnecessary. Stay in New York and I’ll call you soon. As we should both be discreet, if you call by telephone, identify yourself as ‘Smith.’ I will use the name ‘Jones’ to contact you.”

When Dr. Amador Guerreo went to the Hotel Endicott to wait, Philippe called his friend at the Department of State.

Portrait of Dr. Manuel Amador Guerrero.

Photo taken from the book "Panamá, la creación, destrucción y resurrección"

by Philippe Bunau-Varilla