Des Moines as an example of a 15,000-ton cruiser

What kind of cruiser could be built on about 15,000 tons?

Des Moines is the example offered of the capability available at roughly that displacement.

The answer suggests that a roughly 15,000-ton cruiser could escape several constraints associated with treaty cruisers. Des Moines is offered as the concrete example of that size. It serves as a displacement and capability comparison within the hypothetical treaty discussion. The exchange does not supply a new armament or protection layout for the proposed cruiser.