that the University of Iceland would be unoccupied due to the
 
/
 
summer vacation. No detailed information is available as to the
 
 
type of facilities it would provide but most of the University is
 
housed in one large building. Our agreement with the Icelandic
 
Government does not provide for requisitioning and billeting, so
 
that negotiations would be necessary to secure the use of the Uni-
 
versity. In addition, any modifications which would be required
 
would be subject to the approval of the Icelandic authorities.
 
The Hotel DeGink, near the Keflavik Airport, is a newly con-
 
structed frame building. It was built by the Air Transport Command
 
to accommodate overnight guests passing through Iceland. The building
 
is of cantonment type construction and consequently a constant fire hazard exists. The high winds which prevail increase the hazard.
 
The road between Reykjavik and Keflavik, approximately 40 miles,
 
is narrow, rough and winding and for the most part unpaved.
 
II. Security.
 
        From a security angle, Iceland would be most undesirable.
 
 
It lies within 1,000 miles of German air bases in Norway. German
 
planes are over the Islands frequently, and within the past week, one
 
plane has strafed some of our troops.
 
The large German-speaking population of Iceland no doubt
 
supports considerable Axis sentiment and information may be transmitted from the Island either by fishing boat, or clandestine radio. In spite
 
of the proposed reduction of the Iceland garrison, sufficient troops,
 
antiaircraft and ground, will remain to furnish protection against sporadic raids or air attacks. It can be expected that the Icelandic
 
Government will cooperate in security measures provided such measures
 
do not require abrogation of the agreement under which we occupy Iceland.