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Show INCENDIARISM BELIEVED TO BE .CAUSE OF FIRES WASHINGTON. Aug. 21. Incendiarism Incendiar-ism Is now believed to be responsible in large measure for the spread of the devastating de-vastating forest fires in the west. Acting Act-ing Forester Albert F. Potter tonight re-celvpd re-celvpd advices from Supervisor Buck of Medford, Ore., stating that tho continued contin-ued spread of the (Ires in southorn Oregon Ore-gon had revealed clearly tho work of incendiaries. in-cendiaries. Mr. Potter would not discuss dis-cuss even Inferentlally what may ho the purpose of the fire continuing pending an official report. Forest rangers are now engaged In rounding up dofinlte ovi-dencc. ovi-dencc. Mr. Potter views with anxiety this particular par-ticular side of tho situation and Intimated that It may be necessary to call upon Governor Benson of Oregon for aid from the Oregon National Guard oi many federal fed-eral troops as possible arc being rushed on foot Into the burning regions from nearby posts. The Hres aro especially threatening In the Crater Lake country of southern Oregon. Ore-gon. Advices tonight Indicate that at least 2,000,000 acres of timber are In danger dan-ger of being swept away. Supervisor Buck roports that the situation at Medford, Med-ford, Ore., also Is extremely critical ana there Is little likelihood of extinguishing extinguish-ing the flames which In that region aro spreading with tho greatest speed. Forest For-est officials are now dlroctlng their fighting fight-ing forces to confine the fires If possible to the oast side of the Cascades. Some encouragement was felt In late advices tonight stating that the flros In the Wallowa. Wal-lowa. Ore., district, wore under control, and troops employed there would be sent 10 othei points. War department officials professed to know nothing regarding the alleged refusal re-fusal of Brigadier General Maus at American Amer-ican Lake to send troops to southern Orogon. Oro-gon. Forestry officials, however,, were advised that at noon today five companies compan-ies of 250 men each left American Lakn and are proceeding with all haste to supplement the forces now at work In the Crater Lake country. |