@Krieghund:
@Stoney229:
Also, is it possible to declare war on a power without combat against that power in a given turn, in order to inflict damage on their convoys during their turn?
Yes, you can declare war on your turn without attacking anything, provided you’re allowed to declare war.
That doesn’t make much sense, why in the world would the UK declare war on Japan w/o triggering one of the many auto war mechanic’s.
In the above example Say UK/Anz are not at war w/Jap. On UK’s turn they more into a Jap convoy zone (could even be Jap occupied). As the UK you don’t have to tell your intentions at this time correct? (Or did I miss something in the Errata). You don’t declare a convoy attack until Japans collect income phase. Its up to Japan to either attack you (bringing US into the war) or leave you be hoping you attack the convoy so the US doesn’t come in.
There’s no reason I can think of why UK would tip its hand on its turn. It would get absolutely no benefit, and Japan would be free to do anything it want to, except of course directly attack the US. I guess that if you wanted you could by rule give a Dec Of War for no reason, but it would be pretty silly IMO.