((Actually, we don't know about the Rebels; I may have overlooked it, but I don't think BBB said anything about the Rebels. We may have captured them, or they could still be on Cuba, fighting like the Filipino people did IRL, or they escaped to another island, possibly to the jungles of South America))
If you're talking about the Confederates, then we have them. They were captured by Harrison and the Rough Riders as they tried to flee Havana.
"Havana fell to Harrison and his men on August 21st, and the Confederate government, having not been informed of the Spanish defeat at Campo Florido until that day, was captured as it tried to escape".
((Actually, we don't know about the Rebels; I may have overlooked it, but I don't think BBB said anything about the Rebels. We may have captured them, or they could still be on Cuba, fighting like the Filipino people did IRL, or they escaped to another island, possibly to the jungles of South America))
I know many of you do not wish to hear, but I will not bow to political pressure or the winds of popular opinion: we caused this war! We, through our interference in Spanish territory, not only permitted, but encouraged, an attack on the Maine. Why was this ship, sent on 'peaceful purposes,' filled to the brim with explosives? Where did the Rebels acquire their bombs? Why would the Spanish help them? I cannot find a good answer to these questions, and I doubt anyone else could find answers that, beyond the shadow of a doubt, prove Confederate and Spanish involvement. I ask you this, if the Spanish were complicit: if the situation was reversed, and Spain was more powerful, and we were alone, and they sent a battleship to Chesapeake Bay, how would we react?
Ladies and Gentlemen, Presdient Callahan willingly spilled the blood of tens of thousands of men, all for a few parcels of land! This warmonger is not fit to hold office, if he is prepared to attack without cause, or proof, and sacrifice American lives, and stain American honour!
Military ships tend to be so. Even the most peaceful of passenger ships have quite a few explosives around in the form of large steam boilers, fuel, and other necessary sea-going supplies. Fire is always a great danger on a ship.Why was [the USS Maine], sent on 'peaceful purposes,' filled to the brim with explosives?
The Spanish have been helping them by giving them free reign in Cuba for a long time, and it is no secret that they had an aggressive and confrontational relationship with our government. Without more evidence which is most likely being compiled by the investigations now, any specific reason for aid would be simply speculation - but there are many reasons why a battleship of a government you despise might be a target.Where did the Rebels acquire their bombs? Why would the Spanish help them?
We would not aid its unprovoked destruction, if that is what you are suggesting, for we are a democratic nation working with clear and honest negotiations. We are not harboring and aiding groups seeking to undermine lawful governance in Spain, we have no government abuses to hide from them, and we do not have any imperialistic grip threatened by them. We had no reason to attack the Spanish government, save for a disagreement about the Rights of Man and the rights of governments, fair diplomatic policies, and the like - and those disagreements lead to clearly declared wars. The Declaration of Independence was written for this purpose - to make sure that the causes for attack on the British government were clearly declared. Spain, on the other hand, has reasons to attack that are those of the empires of the Old World: threat, pride, conspiracy, ruses, and deception, which lead to underhanded actions.if the situation was reversed, and Spain was more powerful, and we were alone, and they sent a battleship to Chesapeake Bay, how would we react?
I know many of you do not wish to hear, but I will not bow to political pressure or the winds of popular opinion: we caused this war! We, through our interference in Spanish territory, not only permitted, but encouraged, an attack on the Maine. Why was this ship, sent on 'peaceful purposes,' filled to the brim with explosives? Where did the Rebels acquire their bombs? Why would the Spanish help them? I cannot find a good answer to these questions, and I doubt anyone else could find answers that, beyond the shadow of a doubt, prove Confederate and Spanish involvement. I ask you this, if the Spanish were complicit: if the situation was reversed, and Spain was more powerful, and we were alone, and they sent a battleship to Chesapeake Bay, how would we react?
Ladies and Gentlemen, Presdient Callahan willingly spilled the blood of tens of thousands of men, all for a few parcels of land! This warmonger is not fit to hold office, if he is prepared to attack without cause, or proof, and sacrifice American lives, and stain American honour!