Did Italy gain an advantage over France because Italian ships could concentrate on the Mediterranean while French ships needed longer range for overseas commitments?
Short answerYes. Italy could optimize for a concentrated Mediterranean role, while France had to choose between ships suited to that theatre and ships able to operate worldwide.
NotesThe answer treats Italy's narrower operating requirements as an additional advantage in the Washington Naval Treaty comparison. France had to choose between a ship suited to the Mediterranean and one with the endurance to operate worldwide in support of colonial commitments. Italy could concentrate on Mediterranean requirements. A later aside calls Italy the treaty's winner, a judgment connected here to the different demands placed on the two navies.