In this interpretation, France faces a choice between matching Italy in the Mediterranean and protecting its wider empire. Concentrating on the first commitment leaves France reliant on Britain for the second. That dependence adds pressure to an already difficult procurement position. Small carriers and other capabilities obtained through the proposed evasions could make France feel more capable of acting independently. Greater confidence is the suggested outcome, rather than a fully specified alternative French fleet.
Notable Point · 1:24:39-1:25:51
France's Mediterranean and imperial commitments
The argument treats France's split commitments as a source of dependence on Britain that wider treaty evasion could ease.