Ageod WW1 Manual Cover.qxd

These talks, on the opposing side, may be sincere or bluff. If they are a
bluff, the nation having entered the talks may lose big in terms of national
will (NW) if the negotiations blow up. On the other hand, if the talks are
sincere, the nation may end at peace with a rather correct outcome.
17.9 Special Cases
Here is the description of the main ‘special’ diplomatic tendencies of the
various countries. The Diplomacy Appendices gives more details on these
tendencies, country by country.
Balkans Rivalries
The Balkan countries (Bulgaria, Romania, Greece, Serbia), Turkey and
Italy are jealous of each other and they hate the others intensely. When a
country joins one side, the other countries more or less react toward the
other side.
Besides that, the Balkan countries still at peace (Bulgaria, Romania and
Greece) are cautious, and therefore the AMBassadors are less efficient in
1914. When a Diplomatic action takes place there in this year, only the -2
to +2 columns of the Diplomatic Table are used, even if the AMBassador
differential is more than that (including the pro-xxx bonuses).
Serbia
Diplomacy is allowed with Serbia in August 1914 only. Afterwards, this is no
longer possible.
Depending on the result, Serbia may achieve a complete or partial
mobilization, or she may even accept the Austro-Hungarian ultimatum.
In any event, the Great War erupts, and cannot be avoided. No matter
what, Russia declares war on Austria-Hungary.
Bulgaria
Bulgaria is pro-Centrals Powers because she wants revenge from her 1913
defeat, when she was crushed by a coalition consisting of all her
neighbors.
The Entente is therefore at a disadvantage, unless it recognizes Bulgaria’s
claims, which will certainly offend the other Balkan countries (especially
Greece). See Promises and Political Action.
Greece
Greece hesitates between the opinion and rule of her King Constantine
(pro-Central Powers) and her Prime Minister Venizelos (pro-Entente).
The nation’s attitude is unreliable and erratic, and swings from one side to
the other randomly. On an even test result she is pro-Entente, on an odd
pro-Central Powers.
This is checked every time a Diplomatic Check applies to Greece (when a
Diplomatic Action is resolved).
92 World War One: La Grande Guerre 1914-1918
There are also two special rules about Greece (See Diplomacy
Appendices):
● The Entente may attempt a putsch in Athens;
● The Entente may land troops in Salonica (according to the 1829
treaty).
Romania
Romania is bound by a treaty to Austria-Hungary. But because of internal
dissensions in August 1914, this treaty may be broken or kept. A secret test
is made during the August 1914 special Diplomacy Phase just before
Romania’s reaction check. The result is a random result, but biased toward
the Entente. It ranges from 0 to +7.
Ottoman Empire (i.e. Turkey)
Turkey’s attitude is pro-Centrals, but it may be influenced by some key
decisions in August 1914, such as:
Great Britain has the option to provide modern battleships, already bought
by Turkey.
Germany may bribe Turkey (Gold of the Kaiser event), and even send her
the powerful BC Goeben (1 battlecruiser).
As long as it is at peace, Turkey gives a AMB 1 to the Central Powers if it
currently is “pro-Centrals Powers” (level 3 or more). The Turk AMBassador
is freely played by the Central Powers (including deploying this
AMBassador in Turkey).
The United States
The United States uses a special rule. ? At the start of the war, the level is
23. Their attitude is Isolationist until level 13, and they declare war on the
Central Powers at level -5. See USA in the Appendices for further details.
Italy
Italy, despite being an official member of the Central Powers, has distanced
itself from the Triple Alliance, and intends to offer its services to the
“highest bidder”.
● Italy is divided and unreliable, and its current attitude is randomly
determined: even pro-Entente, odd pro-Central Powers. BUT, if her
Diplomatic Level is 0 and if the Entente has at least the same number
of AMB as the Centrals Powers, then Italy is always pro-Entente (no
die roll in this case).
● It is checked each time a Diplomatic Action is executed in Italy.
● In addition, Italy makes voracious demands, and this limits
the AMBassador’s efficiency in 1914: as in the Balkans, the
Diplomatic table uses only the -2 to +2 columns, even if the
AMBassador differential is more than that (including the pro-xxx
bonuses).