In the alternate timeline the cruiser battery could rise to eight 12-inch guns by 1914. That would give up two barrels for a larger calibre. Battleships would be moving towards 15-inch guns at about the same time. Expectations would still follow the ship's role, with a cruiser facing a battleship understood to be taking on a stronger opponent.
Notable Point · 1:07:19-1:08:02
When the alternate cruisers might reach 12-inch guns
By 1914 an eight-gun 12-inch cruiser might follow the ten-gun 9.2-inch design while British battleships moved to 15-inch guns.