"In fact, if we only look at performance, I think the fast cruiser with a full load displacement of about 20,000 tons is of very limited significance. If this level of warship requires a speed exceeding the fast battleship, it means that the speed of this class of warships must be above 28 knots. When the speed increases to a certain level, every increase in speed will mean huge power and cost. After all, the extended power bay does not only mean more boilers and stronger horsepower, but also the corresponding hull structure and armor protection. Such a first-class warship is not enough to face the main battleship. I think that if possible, the high seas fleet should not have more than 10,000 tons of warships with main guns below 15 inches in the future." Hippel said.

In Hippel's opinion, if the same amount of funds is required, it is obviously better to build fast battleships than to build large armored cruisers. For example, the cost of 6 fast battleships may be similar to that of 10 new armored cruisers, but with combat effectiveness, the latter will definitely not be able to compare with the former. And in this battle, wasn't the German's idea of ​​fast fleets and light cruisers? It was used well. Of course, in the last battle, tens of tons of equipment patrol also made great contributions to attracting the opponent's firepower... This needs to be affirmed.

"For small countries, they can take the path of fast battleships and light cruisers, which is the highest efficiency, but for us, the Americans, the British, even the French and Italy, this is impossible, because for all countries that can be called great powers, a slight change in the tonnage of the main ships of any other power will lead to vigilance and uneasiness in other countries. Therefore, if everyone does not want to invest too much money into the endless arms race, the update of the battleship will be very strict." Marshal Schell said.

Although Scher had explained to Hippel the need to build large cruisers before, Hippel was still dissatisfied with these not-so-value-effective existences. He even tried to change his mind by tentatively making the crown prince change his mind. After all, in his opinion, the future naval arms treaty was just a guess rather than something that had happened.

"If we don't talk about other countries, from the perspective of Germany alone, the increase in cruiser tonnage and military equipment is an inevitable tendency. This is especially true for Germany, which is about to move to the far sea." Su Xiong said.

"My fleet has been active in the Indian Ocean region for a long time. The long-term sea navigation and combat are completely different from our situation in the North Sea. The problems of personnel life and supply are very serious during the entire battle. Long-term closed, narrow and harsh environment will seriously affect the morale of the people. The consumption of fuel, food and repair materials is incomparable to near-shore operations. Back then, when the Russian Navy was expeditioning to Japan, it piled up coal in the soldier compartment. Although we were not so exaggerated, our warships were overloaded when we sailed, and even so, it was still not enough."

"Even in the future, our cruisers will still use 6-inch guns. If 9 guns are used as the minimum standard, then in order to fight against the opponent's 6-inch gun armor-piercing shells, to ensure that officers and soldiers have a reasonable living conditions and a relatively sufficient endurance, then our warships will reach more than 8,500 tons." Su Xiong said.

"We can limit light cruisers to 6-inch guns and a certain displacement. In this way, the cost of light cruisers will be relatively low, and their functions can be completely against various destroyers and undertake our overseas colonial patrol missions. Other countries have no reason to refuse. They have similar needs as us." Hippel thought for a while and said.

"But the current situation is that many countries have broken this restriction. The Americans and the Japanese are developing cruisers equipped with 8-inch guns at the same time, and the Americans even have 10-inch gun-level cruisers. After spending a lot of money and supplies, do you want them to dismantle? That is almost impossible. And I want to say that such colonial cruisers are actually not necessary for Britain and Japan." Su Xiong said.

"Is it necessary for Japan and Britain?" Hippel frowned slightly: "It may be true for Japan. After all, their local area is not far from the colony, and the requirements for endurance are average. But for Britain, a global colonial empire, do they need light cruisers?"

"For Britain, now, the safety of the colonies is far more like the safety of the locals! The British Royal Navy's future thinking no longer guarantees the safety of the colonies and maritime traffic during wartime. This task is probably to be responsible for the potential allies of the British. The British Royal Navy's mission is to ensure the safety of the locals. From the moment the war ended, our position changed. The British were fighting near-shore and medium-distance, while we wanted to fight from the ocean. The British would start to build their decisive battle fleets, and if cruisers had to be built, they would definitely build some heavy cruisers specially used to suppress our light cruisers." Earl Spee spoke, and his ideas were very similar to Su Xiong.

After all, after the defeat of the war, Britain had lost the ability to compete comprehensively with Germany in maritime power, so for the relatively weak side, it could only take a targeted route. This is like Germany before the war. The German high seas fleet was heading for a decisive battle. As for the colonies and maritime transportation issues? The colonies were thrown away first, and the US would rely on the US for maritime transportation. If the British still wanted to fight with Germany in the future, then the United States would stand on the side of the British! The sea transportation and colonies were handed over to the Americans, and then they would focus on dealing with the German high seas fleet with the support of the British!

"And you forget France and Italy. France is no longer a global empire. Their navy's main target is likely to become Italy. In the Mediterranean bathtub, the requirements for endurance and airworthiness are very low. When the tonnage of the main ship is limited, these two countries will definitely want to suppress their opponents in the second-level warship field." Su Xiong made another shot.

So, the situation now changes. If one day the world powers sit together to discuss restricting the naval arms race, the British, Japanese, French and Italians. What they all need to consider is how to improve the tactical indicators of cruisers. They don’t have to consider too many factors such as endurance and the living environment of personnel. Just make the warships fight and resist.
Chapter completed!