A small minor country-- even if it isn't anyone's vassal-- should not be permitted to initiate an alliance with a faraway country. Too frequently we see alliances between, say, Bremen, Ireland and Siena (leading to silly wars).
Small minor countries should only be able to initiate alliances with nearby countries. (German minors with other German minors, for instance, or Asia Minor minors with other Asia Minor minors). However, they should be able to accept alliance offers that are proposed by a more distant larger country. For example, Portugal should be able to initiate an alliance with a two-provice Ayutthaya, but not the other way around.
If a minor is a member of an alliance, the minor's obligations under the alliance should only extend to the minor's "neighborhood". For example, assume that England has allied with Portugal, Ashanti in West Africa, and Bengal in India. Assume that England also has possessions in West Africa and India. If Denmark declares war on England and England desires to call her allies, only Portugal would be obliged to declare war on Denmark. If a West African minor declared war on England, then England could call Portugal and Ashanti, but not Bengal. If the Mughal Empire declared war on England, then Engalnd could call on Portugal and Bengal but not Ashanti.
Small minor countries should only be able to initiate alliances with nearby countries. (German minors with other German minors, for instance, or Asia Minor minors with other Asia Minor minors). However, they should be able to accept alliance offers that are proposed by a more distant larger country. For example, Portugal should be able to initiate an alliance with a two-provice Ayutthaya, but not the other way around.
If a minor is a member of an alliance, the minor's obligations under the alliance should only extend to the minor's "neighborhood". For example, assume that England has allied with Portugal, Ashanti in West Africa, and Bengal in India. Assume that England also has possessions in West Africa and India. If Denmark declares war on England and England desires to call her allies, only Portugal would be obliged to declare war on Denmark. If a West African minor declared war on England, then England could call Portugal and Ashanti, but not Bengal. If the Mughal Empire declared war on England, then Engalnd could call on Portugal and Bengal but not Ashanti.
