How would this rule be enforced?

actually there's a game format where you don't even have to send messages at all, it's pretty fun, maybe this is what you're looking for

if someone notices that someone else has broken it, they inform the people in charge or something. it would be unlikely that someone would join and then break the rule, purposefully at least, as people should only play this game if they want to try it like this. if needed we could have each country pm someone who they talked to, and who talked to them to make sure that it is consistent.
I agree, gunboats are fun. i am currently not wanting to play one though.

Sounds like a good idea, gotta make every message count.

Do you mean one message per turn to each of the other powers, or just one message, total?

As in, if it's Spring 1901 and I see I've drawn Russia, and I send a message to Austria, that means I'm not allowed to send a message to Turkey until the next phase?

Yeah Jamiet. Or maybe you have 2 messages. So you could message Austria and Turkey, but then you can't message Germany. Or if you message Germany you run the risk of Turkey attacking you etc.

i mean 1 message total, and one reply. so at most, they could only make 2 official alliances. this is going by year. so they 1 reply, and one message, or 2 messages depending on what they decide, for the year 1901. then they have another reply and message for the year 1902. you cannot save them. for example, if you do not use a reply in te year 1901, you do not have 2 in the year 1902. you were accurate in what you said synapse, and i was meaning to make it like this in order to make people make their messages count.

i am also considering reducing the amount of messages and replys you get after the year 1905. for example, you would get 1 reply and 1 message for 2 years, or you would get 1 message a year. would you support this idea?

@jamie: it is the next year. you could not send until 1902. you could reply (meaning they messaged you first) to them if they message you though if you had not replied already. if you had sent a message to austria and had replied to germany, you would not be allowed to reply to turkey though until 1902. does this make sense?

It makes sense but that doesn't appeal to me. Good luck though, and have fun!