The lists in 1/ and 2/ are OOC distinctions based upon the army book system. IC, we would be saying pretty much what you suggest, but the aim was to make it absolutely clear, beyond any doubt, what does and what does not constitute an 'evil race'. We don't want the Empire to be going 'hey, help us against army X' while we're saying 'that's not in the treaty, sorry'.
(Incidentally, that's the reason for the capitalisation. As a rule, I do not capitalise those words when referring to a race (e.g. elves, dwarfs, ogres), but do when referring to the army or a cultural distinction within a race (e.g. Bretonnia, High Elves). So we're clear.
Plus, technically, the Dark Elves are not sworn to Chaos. Unless Khaine became a Chaos god while I wasn't looking?)
For 3/, you make a valid point, and perhaps the modifier 'within reason' should be added. I stop short at giving Empire officials discretionary power to bar us, as that would make the deal a bit of a sham, wouldn't it? If they can decide when the agreement applies and when it doesn't, then it's biased towards the Empire, isn't it? If they make the choice then we're back where we started.
For point 4/, you're right, it fits into the land grab motivation. It is there and we do want to remain loyal to it, to a certain extent. This is our attempt to resolve the land question honourably and without aggression. The implication that a Bretonnian would kill the ranking Empire noble in order to snatch the land is, to be frank, offensive and slanderous. The question of the meaning of 'abandoned'... perhaps it could be specified in greater detail, but I would think the intent is clear. An abandoned village is one that has been uninhabited for a considerable period of time. We could specify 'abandoned for at least ten years prior to the outbreak of this conflict' or somesuch if it would help. Similarly, we could change 'Imperial noble' to specify that they are defined as such under Imperial law (because Bretonnian law does of course treat nobility rather differently), but as with the village issue, I would have thought that was implied.
I would not specify that 'the Empire has no prior claim to the land', though. The Empire has prior claim to every piece of land in the Empire, by definition. Nor does the clause really undermine that - as stated, by taking possession of that land the Bretonnian in question would become an Imperial noble, and receive the land by due process.
And yes, I think ogres are evil. We already argued this on Bugman's. Perhaps it should be changed to say 'excepting ogres under the employ of the Empire', but, as I said, it is a wargame distinction used. As the Ogre Kingdoms army has made an alliance pact with the dwarfs (as you well know), and the dwarfs are, how shall I say this, the bad guys, it seems reasonable to group the ogres in with them. Naturally Bretonnians are not willing to take up lances against dwarfs unless absolutely necessary, but they have no compunction regarding ogres.
