The proposed bargain gives the Soviet Union room for twelve 10,000-ton heavy cruisers and twelve 10,000-ton light cruisers. Britain and the United States each receive 200,000 tons in each category. That exceeds the earlier American demand for 180,000 tons of heavy cruisers and the British demand for 190,000 tons of light cruisers. It greatly eases the Royal Navy's global coverage problem, but even a combined 400,000 tons does not provide its desired seventy new cruisers when individual ships must remain capable enough to face foreign rivals. The extra tonnage improves the choice between cruiser numbers and fighting power without removing it.
Notable Point · 51:34-53:20
Larger cruiser allowances still leave Britain short
Larger cruiser totals satisfy important British and American negotiating demands, but still fall short of Britain's ambition for seventy capable new cruisers.