The dispute between the Vatican and the Italian Government, which
has continued since the secular forces captured Rome in 1870, seems to be nearer a solution. At all events, though the Quirinal says that nothing has been settled, negotiations are going on in earnest. It has been proposed that the Holy See should have " an extension of territory of some hundreds of acres to ferm a small 'State. The Vatican also asks for a " corridor to the sea." To the Vatican sovereignty is synonymous with territorial ownership. The Law of Guarantees of 1871 (giving the Pope the use, but not the sovereignty, of the Vatican, the Lateran and the Castel Gandolfo) may it is said, be abrogated, and the Italian Government may grant the Pope an indemnity of one million gold lire in part compensation to the Holy See' for the kAs of its temporal power. The Pope has never recognized the validity of the Law of Guarantees and has made an annual protest against it.
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