Quote:
Originally posted by Shaide:
Moreover in the 19th century, USA blowed up an USA's ship near Cuban's beach, for steal this island to us (Spain) and they said that we attacked United States of America, but Cuban wanted to be free, without Spain and USA.
What is your opinion?
SHAIDE
|
Not true. Although for decades the sinking of the Maine was thought to have been due to attack, later evidence determined it was caused by an explosion in the ammunition storage chamber, which set off a chain reaction thus destroying the Maine.
It wasn't purposely destroyed to give cause in Cuba and wasn't needed as a cause. Dead American's and threatened economic interests had already provided cause.
I don't claim the US was being completely altruistic in helping Cuba revolt against Spain, but the Cubans were freed of Spanish rule as they hoped, and did benefit under US administration, and were given their freedom from the US without revolution.
EDIT -
In 1976, Adm. Hyman Rickover of the U.S. Navy mounted yet another investigation into the cause of the Maine disaster. His team of experts found that the ship's demise was self-inflicted--likely the result of a coal bunker fire. There are those, however, who still maintain that an external blast was to blame. Some people, it seems, just won't let you forget the Maine.
Source
[ 01-21-2003, 10:13 AM: Message edited by: Ronn_Bman ]