"I'm sorry to say...” (4)
'i'm sorry to say' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)
This is the entire clue.
(Other definitions for alas that I've seen before include "Expression of grief or misfortune" , "Proper, respectable" , "Oh dear!" , "Sad expression" , "More's the pity" .)
(Another definition for regrettably that I've seen is " I'm afraid".)