Why smaller naval powers could still afford cruisers

Which naval powers outside the dreadnought navies could afford cruisers?

Almost any of them, because cruisers ranged from small torpedo cruisers to very large armoured ships.

Nearly every naval power could afford some kind of cruiser because the category was exceptionally broad. At one end were torpedo cruisers of roughly 1,500 to 2,000 tons. At the other were armoured cruisers reaching 12,000 to 16,000 tons and carrying far greater combat power. Both could be called cruisers even though their cost, mission, and fighting value were radically different. A smaller navy therefore did not need to reproduce the Royal Navy's Powerful class in order to field a legitimate cruiser force.