Derek Pullem
Donor
Too the POD
While Italy joining the war on the face of it provides the CP with a large advantage there is also the possibility that it keeps the Ottomans Neutral or even on the side of the Entente.
Let me explain my thinking here
Italy saw the Balkans as her sphere of influence and I can see them moving in to ensure that Austria does not gobble up the whole area after ‘defeating Serbia’ and this might lead to them attacking Greece.
This leads to the Ottoman Empire leaning towards the Entente either as pro Entente neutral or a full player I the region
This keeps the straights open for transport to Russia and allows the Entente (Particularly France and the Commonwealth) from getting bogged down in the Middle East
This may result in some very strange bedfellows with the Greeks, Turks and Russians all fighting alongside each other in that region
But then war is a funny old game
EDIT: Perhaps Milne grows a pair and attacks Goeben before the declaration of War (blame on the very confusing signals from Winston) while she is coaling in Messina on the 5th and 6th of Aug sinking/crippling both vessels.
The act angers Italy (perhaps there is colataral damage?) and this puts the 'swingometer' of public and political opinion firmly into the CP camp.
More than this, assuming Italian troops are stalemated in the Alps against France, then the obvious outlet for them is Albania (something they did as part of the Entente). If they do this early enough they will not only collapse the Serbs earlier (and ensure they don't evacuate), they will also probably bring Greece into the war against the Central Powers as they will clash in Southern Albania / Epirus (as per OTL). So instead of Gallipoli the Anglo French expeditionary force gains full access to Greece. This probably ends up as an alt-Isonzo for Italy.
It might prevent the Ottoman front too if Italy jumps to the CP early enough.