Thanks for the thoughts, Flashman.
While your definition of strict neutrality is more historically accurate, it seems to me that it doesn’t really change anything. The Italians and the Ottomans would have a “normal” game, just starting one turn later.
My thought was to use an existing game mechanic (US-style neutrality) for Italy and the Ottoman Empire as a way to slightly bolster two vulnerable powers. Allowing Italy a turn to purchase and move units unmolested by other powers is the point. Similarly, preventing Russia from invading the Ottoman Empire before OE1 is the point.
Of course, everyone will know what’s coming (it’s a game after all), so they can take steps to counter likely opening moves, but it will give Italy and the Ottomans just a tiny bit of breathing room (hopefully).
And I do realize that US-style neutrality does mean that Ottoman units can’t be brought onto the board to defend Persia (or any other neutral/minor power) if it is invaded before OE1. But I don’t think having German or Austro-Hungarian units put onto the board to be killed the same turn is really going to change the dynamic much (unless the British player has no luck with the dice).
