What role does Chicago Times-Herald reporter Walter Wellman play in the Central American canal scenario?

The role Chicago Times-Herald reporter Walter Wellman plays in the Central American canal scenario is sending Phillippe Banau-Varilla a confidential telegram claiming that the Senate is ready to accept $40 million. Banau-Varilla, now in France, thanks him for the tip. Banau-Varilla then pressures stockholders into accepting the figure.