It aroused the national susceptibility, which directed its wrath against its amorous Minister.

The Deputies seized upon a frivolous pretext to show their dissatisfaction.

A ridiculous incident, the fact that the wife of a subprefect had danced at the Moulin Rouge, forced the minister to face a vote of censure, and he was within a few votes of being defeated.
According to general opinion, Paul Visire had never been so weak, so vacillating, or so spiritless, as on that occasion.
He understood that he could only keep himself in office by a great political stroke, and he decided on the expedition to Nigritia.

This measure was demanded by the great financial and industrial corporations and was one which would bring concessions of immense forests to the capitalists, a loan of eight millions to the banking companies, as well as promotions and decorations to the naval and military officers.

A pretext presented itself; some insult needed to be avenged, or some debt to be collected.