The problem with the slogan “Remember the Maine.” was that no one knew for sure how the U.S. battleship Maine blew up.
Americans assumed that a Spanish mine had destroyed it, but the Spanish denied it.
Indeed, Spain wanted very much to avoid war with the powerful United States, and tried to settle the dispute diplomatically after the explosion.
Cuban rebels had no interest in getting the United States involved. They were already close to winning the war, and feared correctly that the United States would take over if it entered the fighting.
Some have charged that the United States itself blew up the ship to create a pretext for war, though that is far fetched. But it is possible no one blew up the Maine.
The ammunition stored in the warship may have ignited spontaneously, causing the disaster.
