French chiefs of naval staff provided more continuity than the governments above them. The longest-serving chief remained in post for more than five years, and most served for roughly three years, although one tenure lasted only 294 days. They still had to reconcile officers who saw treaty limits on capital ships as an opportunity for the Jeune Ecole to return with colleagues who wanted to rebuild a balanced fleet. Stable senior tenure could not settle that internal argument by itself.
Chapter · 22:54-27:02
Naval chiefs faced a revived Jeune Ecole
Senior naval officers often remained in post for years, but treaty limits reopened the dispute between Jeune Ecole advocates and supporters of a balanced battle fleet.