The dubious appeal of a 10-inch treaty cruiser gun

Would the United States push cruiser guns from 9.2 inches to 10 inches in response to a larger Hawkins class?

Probably; both the United States and Japan might accept a 10-inch weapon despite its 12-inch-like rate of fire and limited advantage over a 9.2-inch gun.

A 10-inch gun promises a visible numerical advantage, which makes it attractive in treaty competition. Its practical return is much less impressive: handling slows toward 12-inch-gun rates while penetration improves only modestly over 9.2 inches. The exchange highlights the gap between prestige specifications and balanced cruiser design.