A possible reason for holding Australia on station was that von Spee might double back. Japan was prepared to contribute a battleship and two armoured cruisers, providing another force against that possibility. Even with a pre-dreadnought as its battleship, this force is judged strong enough to prevent a successful German attack. Allied cover could therefore have released Australia for pursuit, fulfilling a practical purpose of the Anglo-Japanese alliance.
Notable Point · 1:34:22-1:34:53
Japanese cover could have freed Australia to pursue
Japanese willingness to send a battleship and two armoured cruisers weakens the argument for retaining Australia against a German return to the western Pacific.