Question

Why did the journal jump to the conclusion that the Spanish were responsible for the explosion of the Maine?

Answer 1

The Spanish investigation team claimed that the explosion was only an accident caused by some internal problem on the ship; American investigation said the explosion must have been caused by a Spanish mine in the harbor. Spanish authorities felt that the US was trying to intimidate them by interfering with Spanish sovereignty trying to affect Spanish policy toward Cuba

Answer 2

Because the Maine was supposedly carrying supplies to the Cubans.