The Italian naval strength according to the Dutch newspaper Het Vaderland: staat- en letterkundig nieuwsblad daily edition dated 31 October 1938

The Italian press supplied details about the strength of the Italian navy which possessed now a total tonnage of 549,880 ton. Since Mussolini controlled the government were two battleships of total 50,000 yon, 19 cruisers of total 146,802 ton, 40 destroyers of total 54,316 ton, 32 torpedo boats of total 21,354 ton, 102 submarines of total 70,000 ton and 81 auxiliary vessels of total 37,348 tons build. Still on stocks were another 4 battleships, 12 cruisers and some submarines and other vessels.