The Superior Council authorized the ships in November 1890 as part of a program intended to exceed the combined Italian and German fleets. The headline plan called for 24 new battleships and 70 cruisers. At the same time, Jeune Ecole advocates pressed for torpedo-boat squadrons and selected cruiser roles instead of an expensive battle fleet. Descartes therefore entered a procurement system trying to pursue numerical superiority while still arguing over the kind of fleet France actually required.
Chapter · 21:38-23:39
France's 1890 fleet plan pursues numerical superiority
An ambitious program for 24 battleships and 70 cruisers emerged while French planners still disputed the proper balance among capital ships, torpedo squadrons, and cruiser duties.