Conversation so far:
When did Theodore Roosevelt become assistant secretary of the navy?
President William McKinley appointed Theodore Roosevelt as the Assistant Secretary of the Navy in 1897.
What did Theodore Roosevelt do as assistant secretary of the Navy?
Influenced by Alfred Thayer Mahan, Theodore Roosevelt called for a build-up in the country's naval strength, particularly the construction of battleships
Why did Theodore Roosevelt strengthen the Navy?
Theodore Roosevelt began pressing his national security views regarding the Pacific and the Caribbean on McKinley, and was particularly adamant that Spain be ejected from Cuba

Question: Why did he want Spain ejected from Cuba?
Self-contained rewrite: Why did Theodore Roosevelt want Spain ejected from Cuba?