The news of the French capture of the Pescadores initially caused little stir in Paris, as the headlines in early April 1885 were monopolised by the so-called 'Tonkin affair' (the collapse of Jules Ferry's government on 30 March 1885 in the wake of the retreat from Lang Son) [REF].
This communication silenced the protests from the hardliners, and ensured that the peace with France held [REF].