Republican officials in West Africa fought over means, not the goal of cotton export

Evidence

In labeling the Niger project wasteful, the governor general was not contesting the validity of its purpose-cotton cultivation. Indeed, Carde issued his own circular stressing the need for increased cotton production. Rather, Carde was simply contesting Merlin’s means to that end. — Alice L. Conklin, A Mission to Civilize_ The Republican…, 790