Type of arms and attributes of troops of a same type of arm are slightly different.
When a player in the Allied Powers declares war to a player in the Axis Powers, the Allied player can start attacking after a shorter period of time. When an Allied player declares war to another Allied player, the former cannot start attacking until a long duration comes to an end.
When an Allied player defeats an Axis player, the former will get extra Reputation award, and vice versa.