Slitherine

I was wondering what the rules are for the entry of the relatively 'minor' nations into the conflict. Is Italy destined to enter the war in May 1915 on the side of the Allies? Can this be postponed or even reversed? And what about the Ottoman Empire, Bulgaria and Romania? Portugal?

My second question: can neutral countries like Spain and Sweden be persuaded to join one side or are they fixed as neutrals throughout the conflict - unless attacked, of course?

The player's ability to affect diplomatic relations is largely restricted to what he does on the battlefield. You won't be able to "buy" allies but if joining the war for one side or the other - or delaying that - benefits a neutral nation it might. Only if there is significant historical evidence that these nations may or may not have joined the war for one side or another though. The Ottoman empire for example will always join the Central Powers, although this might happen a bit sooner or later depending on military succes for Germany and Austria.

This means that neutral nations like Spain will not join the war unless first attacked by one of the waring nations. Unless there is historical evidence that they might have done so on certain (military) conditions.