Mike, the laws were not avoided in 1916 and 1917. They were manipulated by arguing that the ships had been ordered and the emergency orders already on the table were blocking construction. As long as they were ordered the law was deamed to be fullfilled. Unfortunately it also meant that the money had to be allocated from the treasury for the orders. The rest of the arguements are sound...though I think the Tirpitz vs Letters one is going to become less and less. Through Letters , Tirpitz's plan is vindicated, he even now I think is seeing that and thus his position is more secure than it ever was in otl. Eventually I think Tirpitz will support Letters as long as he brings glory and popularity to the fleet and thus to him. Tirpitz also has to have in the back of his mind what if Letters went against him. Who would Wilhelm choose. He doesn't ever want to go up against Kin and he knows that.