Treaty limits make compact capital ships attractive

The Washington Naval Treaty paired a 35,000-ton individual limit with separate fleet-tonnage allowances. At that maximum size, 525,000 tons equalled fifteen ships for Britain or the United States, while Japan's 315,000 tons equalled nine. France and Italy each received 175,000 tons, equivalent to five maximum-sized ships. These are illustrative totals, rather than a statement that every retained ship displaced 35,000 tons. France's existing ships were much smaller, at 23,500 tons or less, leaving a difficult replacement problem. Compact layouts promised more fighting value within both the individual and fleet limits.