[piasa]

No one accused "the Cubans" of setting off the explosion- the accusation was against the Spanish, with whom the Cubans were at war in their effort for independence. We entered the Cuban civil war [already in progress] on the side of the Cubans against Spain and so began the Spanish-American War.

From the Spanish perspective both the Cubans and the US were belligerents.

[piasa]

But I believe it is accurate to say the Spanish didn't set off the explosion on board the Maine, and the NY Times did play a role in the accusations and so inflamed the calls for war.

[DaiHuy]

Thanks, never did quite understand that whole mess.