Maine Reaction on the Night

Maine Reaction On the night of February 15, 1898 a United States Battleship, called the Maine, exploded and sank in Havana Harbor, Cuba. It was the latest in a series of international crisis' between America and Spain and would eventually lead to war between the two nations. In the two months after the sinking, newspapers across the country reported on the disaster, the investigation into the cause, and the reaction from the two countries involved.

While some newspapers maintained an open mind as to the cause, many immediately pointed to Spain as the culprit and demanded an immediate response on the part of the United States. Two newspapers printed editorials immediately following the tragedy and perfectly exemplify differing points-of-view of the crisis expressed in the press: New York's Times and Journal.

New York maintains a number of newspapers but two of the most prominent at that time were the New York Times and the Journal; but in the case of the Maine story, each conducted themselves very differently. In general, the Times, which titled their editorial "Suspended Judgment," reported on the story in an effective and unbiased manner. Firstly, the paper did not report as the cause of the explosion because it was not known and an investigation was still being conducted.

However, the Times did print that "there is no evidence to prove or disprove treachery. Naval men tell of many ways in which the disaster could have been caused by accident…." ("Suspended Judgment") and later the paper seemingly exonerated the Spanish government of direct responsibility by naming other possible perpetrators. Even though the investigation was still underway, it seemed that because the Times felt that the Spanish government was not responsible there should be no other response by the U.S.

government other than to resume diplomatic negotiations and replace the Maine with "two or more ships of her class…" ("Suspended Judgment") On the other hand was the Journal, which immediately blamed Spain for the entire crisis by using the title "Shameful Treachery." This opposing view of the situation stated that it may have been an accident but that it was irrelevant because had Spain not been fighting an uprising in Cuba, Americans would not have had to be there.

With that being said, the Journal then went on to print several paragraphs where it explained how the sinking of the Maine was beneficial to Spain and that the chances of an accident were "millions to one…."("Shameful Treachery") the paper then stated that they must "wait for the evidence before formally charging Spain with the shameful treachery, which all the world is ready to suspect her." ("Shameful Treachery") in the end the Journal advocated for a military response to what it believed was Spanish aggression, and stated that peace needed to be imposed on Cuba by American forces.

The newspaper also recommended that the United States government immediately recognize the independence of Cuba and the American ship Vesuvius be recalled from duty with Spain. While one newspaper, the Times, called for calm and an understanding of the facts before acting, the Journal attempted to stoke the fires of war. The Times' investigation of the facts so far indicated that the government of Spain was unlikely to be responsible for the destruction of the Maine, and that it was most likely an accident.

And while the Journal did admit that it was most likely an accident, it later stated that the cause was irrelevant and that it was still Spain's fault. The purpose of the Times editorial seemed to be to report on the facts, support the conclusion that Spain was most likely not responsible, and that stress that Americans should be calm.