A slow escort designed to shield shipping, without torpedoes or heavy guns, cannot threaten another fleet in the way a cruiser or destroyer can. The body-armor analogy distinguishes preparation from provocation: wearing protection in response to someone else's weapon does not create the original threat. Expanding such a force could therefore be presented as a stabilizing maritime-security measure even while it made commerce raiding less attractive. Its weapons and speed kept the ship focused on defense.
Notable Point · 41:42-42:28
Defensive construction as a peaceful signal
Ships built mainly to shield commerce, without torpedoes or heavy guns, would strengthen defense without presenting the same offensive signal as fleet combatants.