A peace forced by naval victory in 1916 would occur before the United States entered the war or gained a place in the Versailles settlement. Britain would also see little reason to restrict a Royal Navy widely credited with winning the conflict. The postwar world is therefore too different for a Washington Naval Treaty to be the default outcome. Detailed treaty limits apply only to the alternate branch in which Germany retreats, the war continues, and American participation eventually recreates pressure for arms limitation.
Notable Point · 2:01:30-2:04:29
An early peace could erase the Washington Naval Treaty
If the war ends in 1916 before American entry, the diplomatic coalition and political motive for a Washington-style naval settlement may never exist.