1914-1915 Sensational Firsthand Account of the Geopolitics of the Construction of the Panama Canal by the Only Reporter with Access to the Key Players

On offer is  an outstanding firsthand account of a well-connected American reporter stationed in Panama to report on the construction of the Panama canal. This account is particularly fascinating as this reporter was the only one granted access to figures such as Colonel Goethals. This journal highlights internal power struggles that took place in the construction of the Panama Canal.

The author of this notebook is reporter John E. Tiedeman. Tiedeman had an extraordinary career as a journalist and a World War 1 US intelligence officer that took him across the globe (see BIO NOTES). In December of 1913, Tiedeman was assigned to cover Central America and the west coast of South America for the Associated Press. He based himself out of Panama City. He took a specific interest in reporting on the progress of the construction of the Panama Canal. According to one entry, he was the only reporter there and he had unfettered access to the key people involved.

His reporter’s notes, describing the infighting and political maneuverings surrounding the administration of the Canal, make for fascinating reading. The notes span the time period Feb 1, 1914 to Apr 8, 1915. He was present when the commission to oversee construction of the Canal – the Isthmian Canal Commission was abolished and the Panama Canal Zone created. The Chief Engineer was a noted American Army Colonel named Colonel George Washington Goethals and how he maneuvered to obtain the Governorship and absolute authority over the Panama Canal is described in abundant detail.

An excerpt from the diary focused on Colonel Goethals follows: 

“The permanent organization followed the very plan outlined by Col. Goethals. Not an important feature was changed. It left him in complete control. And herein it served a second purpose. It once and for all shattered the machinations of the Sibert, Gorgas, Metcalfe faction on the isthmus and the political scheming in Washington. There were to be no political appointments on the Panama Canal. At least not until after Col. Goethals left the Isthmus” [notes from Feb 1, 1914]. 

Tiedeman had direct and easy access to Goethals as illustrated in this passage:

“... Midway of the lockage I walked up to him and after greeting him said: “This is fine and dandy, isn’t it?”...“Yes, I’ll soon have this thing going the way I want it to.” he replied…” [notes from Aug 15, 1914]. 

If the creation of the Panama Canal put an end to political machinations with Washington, it certainly ushered in a new era of political skulduggery between the American Canal administration and the rival political factions in Panama. Tiedeman records some of this.

In response to one of the frequent riots between Panamanian police forces and American servicemen, Tiedeman notes:

“Major General Wood arrived the morning after the riot and took a hand in the investigation. It is expected he will follow the example of both Generals Goethals and Edwards and Minister Price and recommend that the policing of the terminal cities be done by Americans. In other words, strip Panama of her police power and leave little or nothing of the government. The courts would have to be also taken over. That would be the last straw and would practically end the Panama Republic” [notes from Apr 5, 1915]. 

For a historian, this is a superb, first-hand account of events that impacted the United States in a very decisive way. At the time, the Panama Canal was an enormous engineering marvel. It also was part of a geopolitical strategy that helped make the United States the most powerful nation on earth. For a historian or a journalist, these reporter’s notes would be a marvelous addition to a library or collection.

JOHN E. TIEDEMAN BIO NOTES: 

John Ernst Tiedeman (1876-1941) was born in Missouri and attended Smith’s Academy at the University of Missouri. He completed his BA and a law degree before working as business manager for the Sedalia Sentinel newspaper. Later, he got his foot in the journalism door in Kansas, working in the editorial department of the Kansas City Journal. At age 30 he finally broke through as a reporter for the St. Louis Republic. He gained great journalistic opportunities when he joined the Associated Press and spent a year working in Berlin as a staff correspondent for the New York Herald. When he returned to America in 1910, he officially joined the Associated press staff and was assigned to cover the 1912-1913 campaign tour of Vice President Thomas R. Marshall. His excellent work on the campaign prompted his assignment to the Associated Press’ Washington bureau, and later to Central America and the west coast of South America, where he would set up in Panama City and cover the building and opening of the Panama Canal. Tiedeman returned to the USA in 1917 and joined the US army, working as an intelligence officer in France as he was able to speak German and had covered the German army while in Berlin before the war. When he resigned from the army in 1922, Tiedeman returned to the newspaper profession, purchasing newspapers, including the Sunnyvale Standard, which he published until his death in 1941 at age 65.

This book is actually a 3-ring binder measuring 6.0 inches by 8.0 inches. It contains 122 pages and is approximately 25% complete. The cover is in good condition with some slight wear marks at the corners. The pages are in good condition as well. All entries are typed..