Thun und Hohenstein
At the start of the start of the war Fürst von Thun was the Kaiser's Governor for the Kingdom of Bohemia, and was universally known as a friend of the Czech people. In the first fortnight of the war, the London Times reported that a revolution had broken out in Prague, and that it was being put down with such severity that "the Moldau ran red with Czech blood." This was as far from the truth as was imaginably possible, but nevertheless played on the common belief among the Entente that the Austrian Empire was ever on the verge of collapse. Indeed, such news could only hearten an enemy that was being overwhelmed on the Western Front by a powerful German onslaught.
Trade minister Josef Baernreither wrote that the Czechs put up with the war with profound resentment... it could not be otherwise. However, Thun had full consideration regarding the Czechs, leaving them with their newspapers unchallenged, as a result of his praise for their patriotism; he was ignorant of all things, providing all things were in order. Baernreither concluded with this observation: "The success of this policy hangs upon the success of the war."
Clearly, by winter 1915, this policy was bound to be in shambles. Open signs of Czech admiration at the Russian advance in the nationalist newspapers in Prague and the mass desertions by Czech troops in key regiments left the Army High Command worried about a possible "fifth column" in Bohemia. General Franz Conrad in particular wanted Thun removed and the governorship given to someone who would use strong-arm tactics to suppress the nationalism of the Czechs. In March 1915, Thun von Hohenstein was replaced by the Governor of Silesia, Graf Maximilian von Coudenhove. Franz von Thun und Hohnestein died in 1916.
GWS, 10/01
