The doctrine divided the work between torpedo craft and armoured cruisers. Torpedo boats and submarines would neutralize the enemy battle fleet, while an armoured cruiser attacked maritime trade. The cruiser was expected to outrun anything it could not fight and outfight anything it could not outrun, a formula later associated with the battlecruiser. This overlooks a basic asymmetry. A richer opponent can build its own torpedo boats, counter them with torpedo-boat destroyers, and still afford conventional warships and cruiser hunters.
Chapter · 4:18-6:33
The armoured cruiser as a commerce raider
Jeune École paired torpedo craft against battle fleets with an armoured cruiser meant to outrun stronger ships and overpower weaker ones.