A generous carrier settlement creates pressure elsewhere in the treaty. Allowing Britain and the United States ten carriers of up to 35,000 tons while limiting fifteen capital ships to the same displacement would look politically inconsistent. The capital-ship ceiling might rise to roughly 42,000 tons, just enough to make Hood treaty-compliant. Fifteen ships at that limit would give each leading navy about 630,000 tons of capital-ship allowance. Britain could then build Nelson and Rodney, add further ships, or trade some armor margin for fast battleships capable of about 28 knots. A carrier concession could therefore trigger a much broader construction race.
Notable Point · 1:24:28-1:26:18
A 35,000-ton carrier ceiling drives bigger battleships
Allowing ten carriers of up to 35,000 tons could push capital-ship limits upward, preserve Hood, and leave Britain room for more or faster battleships.