Supporters of the Washington settlement could cite the naval competition since the 1880s as evidence that fleet building led to the First World War. Naval races have more complicated political causes than competition alone, so their presence does not make war automatic. In the proposed treaty, eight capital ships each for France and Italy would preserve the balance the two fleets were expected to provide. That allocation would also affect whether Germany felt secure with two capital ships or sought four, which in turn would alter Britain's own force planning. The linked ratios show how one treaty allocation could reshape deterrence across several powers.
Notable Point · 48:40-50:43
Why naval arms races do not automatically cause war
The pre-1914 naval race had more complicated political causes than fleet competition alone; French, Italian, and German ratios would also alter European deterrence.