rigging question

[mariner2k]

While looking over some other rigging arrangements today I noticed on the mainmast of one wooden ketch, that the cap shroud did not go over the lower spreaders. Instead it went directly from the upper spreaders to a chain plate a little aft of the mast as opposed to going through the uppers and lower spreaders. This leads to the question, does that weaken the strength of the mast? Which arrangement is stronger? The intermediates did , of course go over the lower spreaders. This , by the way, is a 1930's vintage Crocker and it hasn't broken yet.