Since the six cruisers that German retained had been launched between 1899 and 1902, the oldest ships—Niobe, Amazone, Nymphe, Thetis, and Medusa—could be replaced immediately.
由于德国保留的六艘巡洋舰都是在1899年至1902年间下水（德语：Stapellauf），其中最老旧的舰只——尼俄伯号、阿玛宗号、宁芙号、忒提斯号和美杜莎号，可以立即更换。