AH Challenge: Republic of Alsace-Lorraine

Now I understand this is difficult, perhaps even borderline ASB, but is there any remote chance that an independent Republic of Alsace-Lorraine can be formed and survive both French and German interests in the region and lasts, not necessarily until the present day, but for a significantly longer period than its OTL equivalent.

To make this challenge slightly easier for you, I will give you a free hand in the PoD. So anything after January 1900 is allowed.

What can you think of?
 
Maybe a compromise peace after a war of exhaustion in WWI (PoD: America stays neutral). They keep it as a buffer state between them. That way neither side gets Alsace-Lorraine so neither can be jealous.
 
There's only one way: Central Powers victorious - and German revolution after victory (which would be quite probable, while a CP victory needs some hard work to happen).
The new democratic government (may also be socialist) of Germany honours the declaration of independence of the A-L Landtag of November 1918 and releases A-L.
 
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