Italian auxiliary cruisers same rights and obligations as the warships according to the Dutch magazine Marineblad dated 1912-1913 no. 4

An item reported that due to a royal decision the Italian auxiliary cruisers which were passenger ships armed with 10/15-0cm guns had the same obligations and rights and organisation similar to the warships. It were the 15.000 ton Citta di Palermo, Citta di Catania, Citta di Messina and Citta di Siracusa owned by the government railways and further more the Duca di Genova and Duca degli Abruzzi owned by the Navigazione Generale Italiana. The main task of the auxiliary cruisers was to prevent smuggling in the southern part of the Mediterranean. Commanded by navy officers was the crew strengthened with gunners a small detachment of sailors on board.